The practice of mindfulness is a great tool to stay focused, remain calm, and generally feel better about life in general. Wouldn’t it be great to be focused and calm when you are attending a big event and hoping to network with a room full of strangers? As I write this blog, I’m excited about the upcoming event called Podcast Movement in Fort Worth, Texas, running from July 31 to August 2, 2015 and these are the techniques that I’ll be using to network like a pro. These techniques are a synthesis of my mindfulness practice and everything I’ve learned over the years from networking at organizations such as BNI. They have made all the difference in how I network, and I hope they help you network like a pro.
Here are your 10 top networking tips:
1. Be Well Rested. Attending an event can mean a lot of planning, special transportation, and hotel rooms. Plan out your details ahead of time. Make lists of important details like what you’ll bring, speakers at the event and names of people you want to meet while at the event.
2. Take Deep Breaths. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of the event itself so take full breaths and also keep a water bottle with you so you’ll remain well hydrated.
3. Pace Yourself. Ahead of time, thoughtfully consider the itinerary and realize that at most conferences you will not be able to take everything in. Choose what you think you’ll benefit the most from and then go from there.
4. Make Eye Contact. Networking is all about connecting to people so give your full attention to the person you’re talking with at any given time. There’s nothing worse than someone asking what you do, and then looking down to check their phone. Put your phone on ‘do not disturb’ and show genuine interest in the other person.
5. Quality Over Quantity. Meeting a few quality contacts can be more valuable than briefly meeting dozens of people you won’t remember. You probably have your avatar well established in your mind, so concentrate on talking with people who appear to fit the identity of your avatar. As you say ‘hi’ to people, they will often direct you to others they have talked to who do fit your avatar even if they don’t.
6. Exit Gracefully. Sometimes you might get trapped with someone who talks so much you just aren’t sure how to escape. If the person you’re talking to does not fit your avatar and you just want to meet someone else, be prepared with a line like, “I have to go find my business partner”, or whatever works for you.
7. Practice your 30 Second Intro. Have a short ‘elevator blurb’ written and memorized ahead of time. It says concisely what you do, and it leaves curiosity in the mind of the person you’re speaking with. After hearing your 30 second explanation, I should clearly understand what you do, even if I am a random person on the street who has never before talked to anyone in your profession.
8. Be Generous. The idea of being a generous giver is central to BNI. After you attend a conference, the people you remember are likely to be the ones who generously offered you some help, a book, a ticket to another event and so on. Rather than thinking, “What can I get out of this person”, think about “what can I give this person”. Speaking of something to offer, it’s OK to have business cards, but you don’t need to give them to everyone. There’s nothing worse than the person who says two lines about what they do and then shoves a business card in your face. If the person seems interested, you can give them your card, otherwise you might want to hold off.
9. Take Notes. A day after the conference ends, book time in your schedule to thoughtfully go through your notes and do it again a week later. Use your notes to create blogs, make social media posts, and even go live on Periscope to share what you’ve learned. Those notes are gold. They can provide you with material for your own podcasts, emails, articles, and blogs for weeks to come.
10. Smile and Enjoy! Attending a conference should be fun and energizing. Allow yourself to enjoy the experience and let your newfound knowledge and connections propel you forward in your own path in business.
erotik says
I used to be able to find good info from your blog posts. Jacintha Jefferson Alanson
erotik says
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Thank you for providing this info. Auroora Yance Noma
turkce says
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything in this way before. So nice to discover somebody with original ideas on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this website is a thing that is needed on the net, somebody with a little originality. beneficial problem for bringing interesting things on the internet! Quintina Wade Kern
turkce says
Thanks for sharing such a good opinion, piece of writing is pleasant, thats why i have read it fully Evaleen Tobias Stevy
turkce says
Excellent article. I absolutely love this website. Stick with it! Gretal Derry Byrle
turkce says
I conceive you have mentioned some very interesting points , regards for the post. Marlene Renato Lorianna
turkce says
My partner and I stumbled over here different website and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to looking over your web page again. Pru Bengt Morton
turkce says
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great posts, have a nice afternoon!| Tonya Truman Norford
turkce says
Can I simply say what a relief to search out somebody who really is aware of what theyre speaking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know tips on how to convey a problem to light and make it important. Extra people need to learn this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant consider youre not more in style because you undoubtedly have the gift. Elicia Rudolfo Hinson
turkce says
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and today each time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment. Is there that is it is possible to remove me from that service? Thanks! Wallis Douglass Amero
turkce says
Thanks so much for the post. Really thank you! Keep writing. Liva Kevan Leoline
turkce says
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch as I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch! Dena Stacee Britt
turkce says
Whats up very cool site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds alsoKI am satisfied to search out numerous helpful information here within the post, we need develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . . Mercedes Scott Armand
turkce says
The notebooks are really amazing! I would love to buy the designs. Lol! Jackquelin Karim Samuella
turkce says
At this time it sounds like Drupal is the preferred blogging platform available right now. Blair Ferris Geerts
turkce says
I agree. Bon Ami does exactly the same thing at a fraction of the price. Nadiya Donavon Thagard
turkce says
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of. Jacynth Colver Schwinn
turkce says
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch! Cristionna Karlan Grayson
turkce says
always a huge fan of linking to bloggers that I like but do not get a lot of link enjoy from Griselda Murray Him
turkce says
Fusce vulputate eleifend sapien. Vestibulum purus quam, scelerisque ut, mollis sed, nonummy id, metus. Zonnya Bastian Calista
turkce says
Wow, this piece of writing is nice, my younger sister is analyzing these Constantine Jere Wallas
turkce says
Well, since this is an alternate universe reboot, anything could happen! Yettie Sly Garwood
turkce says
Heya i?m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me. Maybelle Freddie Schwerin
turkce says
I need help I want the guy to love me to come to me to cherish me to care for me I really really like this guy but I want him to come to me I want to be more attractive to this man and men that i only like plz help me Jammie Borg Gustin
turkce says
Really appreciate you sharing this blog post. Really thank you! Keep writing. Tori Allistir Kenta
turkce says
I see something genuinely special in this website. Saraann Efren Crifasi
turkce says
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Many thanks for providing this information. Alysia Natal Linkoski
turkce says
Everything is very open with a very clear description of the issues. It was really informative. Your site is very useful. Thanks for sharing! Kariotta Dillon Ammon
turkce says
How can I transfer firefox settings from one computer to another? Marris Donovan Jankell
turkce says
Older players can also help to guide you, and give you tips that they have learned over the years to help strengthen your game. Pen Lamont Levona
turkce says
Hi there, simply turned into aware of your weblog via Google, and located that it is truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I will be grateful when you proceed this in future. Many other people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!| Allyson Lev Curson
turkce says
??? ?????? ????? ?? ?? ??????? ?? ???? ? ????? ????? ?????. ???? ???????? ????????? ??????????? ????? ????? ????? ?????. Rahel Rock Hasseman
erotik says
Veganized this and it was delicious! Flavorful and moist, it was gone by the next day. Carrie Felix Arabele
erotik says
Accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident. Reena Washington Floss
turkce says
Good web site! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes it is. I am wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which may do the trick? Have a nice day! Malina Erek Renwick
turkce says
Hey there. I discovered your site by the use of Google even as searching for a related matter, your website came up. It seems to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then. Daffie Mitchell Heimer
turkce says
You have observed very interesting details! ps decent website. Susanne Paten Chiang
turkce says
Looking for a plastic material to be used for a part to withstand a continous temperature of 250 degree F. The plastic material to be suitable for use in a 3-D printer. Any suggestions? Tammara Waldemar Barcellona
샌즈카지노 says
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. Marylin Ced Gildea
샌즈카지노 says
I in addition to my buddies appeared to be checking the great tips and hints on your web site and all of the sudden developed a terrible feeling I never expressed respect to you for those strategies. My people appeared to be as a result thrilled to see all of them and now have absolutely been loving them. Thanks for really being considerably thoughtful as well as for selecting this kind of essential themes millions of individuals are really needing to understand about. Our honest apologies for not saying thanks to you earlier. Sheila-Kathryn Eadmund Merchant
erotik says
Thanks for your own work on this website. My mum takes pleasure in setting aside time for research and it is simple to grasp why. We notice all relating to the powerful way you provide very important tips and hints via your website and therefore strongly encourage response from visitors on this theme while our own simple princess is without a doubt understanding so much. Take pleasure in the rest of the year. Your performing a useful job. Marjory Ephrayim Heise
샌즈카지노 says
pwede po ask ako ng help for a reviewer for csc 2018 ngayun na March 18 take. thank you po. Clementina Hewet Reuben
erotik says
Excellent site. Lots of helpful info here. I am sending it to several pals ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you for your effort! Carlene Addy Fleming
erotik says
Is your webdesigner looking for a job. I think your site is great. Estella Tracey Boy
erotik says
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, but I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours. It is pretty price sufficient for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content material as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.| Pippa Nobie Adelaide
erotik says
Thanks-a-mundo for the article. Really thank you! Awesome. Garnet Charley Carlson
delta 8 gummies pain relief says
What’s up friends, its impressive post about educationand entirely
defined, keep it up all the time.